Upgrading to an Ultegra chain set?

supermurph09

Hi

My Cube Agree GTC Race has a mix of Ultegra / 105 kit on it. Spotted this: http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/r ... =bikeradar



What sort of improvement might I expect over the stock item I have? Certainly looks ALOT better in the darker colour than my stock item.



Thanks

carrock

May be slightly lighter and stiffer. Will look nice.

That's it.

Markjaspi

^ this is spot on

carrock

I'm not necessarily suggesting dont buy it, just don't expect a noticeable difference. And that offer isn't available in dark grey- just silver

Crimmey

I got the dark grey on that offer :P

supermurph09

Crimmey wrote:

I got the dark grey on that offer :P

Apart from aesthetics any noticeable performance gains? What bike did you put it on? Any pics?

carrock

I upgraded my wife's bike from a fc550 chainset, basically tiagra level, to ultegra and was noticeably stiffer, to be fair, but not sure you would noticeably benefit from a 105 chainset. But looks loads better.....

milese

You might notice a very minimal improvement the first time you ride, but after that once you are on the bike you'll never notice it again.

It wont make you any quicker.

denniskwok

I recently upgraded from a Tiagra 4550 compact to an Ultegra 6750 compact. The biggest difference (apart from the looks) is the improvement to front shifting, which is much faster and smoother with the Ultegra.

Crimmey

Oh dear someone's asked for a pic of my bike promise not to laugh at my stem or seat post? Im known to be a little unconventional. I just needed a chainset as I'm selling a bike (swapping and changing) so got it purely for aesthetic reasons. I was going to put it on TT bike but couldn't be bothered messing with Front derailleur. I very much doubt it will be noticeably stiffer than anything previous and you won't get any performance gains as mentioned but maybe it might shift better, it will be marginal.

sloppyschleckonds

Crimmey wrote:

Oh dear someone's asked for a pic of my bike promise not to laugh at my stem or seat post? Im known to be a little unconventional. I just needed a chainset as I'm selling a bike (swapping and changing) so got it purely for aesthetic reasons. I was going to put it on TT bike but couldn't be bothered messing with Front derailleur. I very much doubt it will be noticeably stiffer than anything previous and you won't get any performance gains as mentioned but maybe it might shift better, it will be marginal.

Why aren't the tyre colours matching?

Lysander

What has happend to that bike!?

YIMan

carrock

I think someone has dropped an anvil on the front of it

doug5_10

Crimmey wrote:

Oh dear someone's asked for a pic of my bike promise not to laugh at my stem or seat post? Im known to be a little unconventional. I just needed a chainset as I'm selling a bike (swapping and changing) so got it purely for aesthetic reasons. I was going to put it on TT bike but couldn't be bothered messing with Front derailleur. I very much doubt it will be noticeably stiffer than anything previous and you won't get any performance gains as mentioned but maybe it might shift better, it will be marginal.

Going to go out on a limb and say you've perhaps got your bike fit a bit wrong :? . Either that or you've got arms 3 times the length of your legs!!

nochekmate

Crimney's bike set-up received a length thread some time back - there's no explanation for it other than the fact that he likes it and finds it ok. :shock:

dwanes

I upgraded from tiagra to ultegra and, to me, it is noticeably stiffer. Shifting also feels smoother than tiagra.

But it will depend on your riding and strength. I do a lot of (steep) hill climbing, so I notice the stiffness.

Gary D

In answer to the OP's question, you will not notice one jot of difference between the two - absolutely zero, zilch, nada!!
I have 105 on my winter bike and Ultegra SL on my summer bike - both with Triple chainsets (Shock, horror! :shock: )

If you do notice any difference, I would suggest it will only be because you have set it up better. I really don't think mere mortals could notice any difference in "stifness" between the 2 chainsets.
If anything, my 105 equipped bike is smoother changing on the front than the Ultegra. I think that is down to the fact that the former is a 50T big ring, and the latter a 52T. Therefore, the chain has to climb up on to the big ring further.

However, in saying that, if you are changing it purely for aesthetics - go ahead. It is more than a good enough reason! (That's why I did it) However, don't expect a revelation.

Gary.

supermurph09

carrock wrote:

I think someone has dropped an anvil on the front of it

ROFL!!! That made me laugh! Consensus seems to be that performance wise, unlikely to feel much but aesthetically it looks better. I think for now I'll keep the powder dry and save a bit more for some wheels.